Flint native, former GVSU star Brandon Carr could be fit for Lions

One of the Detroit Lions' most pressing off-season needs is upgrading their secondary.

FileBrandon Carr is scheduled to make his homecoming Sunday when his Kansas City Chiefs face the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

Matt Flynn in Week 17 and Drew Brees in the playoffs were proof of that.

However, with money tight and big contract decisions with star players such as Cliff Avril and Calvin Johnson looming, Lions general manager Martin Mayhew may have to look for subtle fixes, as opposed to home run signings, to fix Detroit's pass defense problems.

Carr, a Flint native (Flint Carman-Ainsworth) and former standout at Grand Valley State, is coming off a productive season (45 tackles, 4 interceptions, 15 pass deflections) with the Chiefs — his fourth in the NFL — but will likely be looking for a new home. Carr has feuded with Kansas City management and coaches at times during his career, including this past summer when he voiced frustrations over his contract on his Twitter account.

With Kansas City going through a rebuilding phase and Detroit seemingly on the rise, returning to play in his home state with a starting role on a potential playoff team could be of interest to the 25-year-old cornerback. He'll have other suitors, but shouldn't demand too lofty of a contract on the free agent market. The Lions, or any other team, could probably get him for a deal similar to the one current Lions cornerback Chris Houston got when he first signed with Detroit.

Carr could also serve as a potential kick return option if Stefan Logan becomes a salary cap casualty.